Printing-device separator for addressing-machines.



v 11 s. DUNCAN. PRINTING DEVICE SEPARATOH FOR ADDRESSING MACHINES.

APPucATioN men "was. 1911.

Patented Apr. 8, 1919.

I SHEETS- SHEET I.

o e V m H C J. S. DUNCAN-- PRINTING DEVICE SEPARATOR FORADDRESSING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED Aue.6. 1911.

Patented Apr. 8

1 SHEETS-SHEET 2- 1 1 1 1 1 1 11 ll II II II II lllll "U 1 1 1 1 1 II II II II II 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 llllll ll ll1ll l. S. ,D'UNCAN. PRINTING DEvIcE SEPARATDR FOR ADDRESSING MIIcIIINEs.

' APPLICATION FILED AUG.6. 191- v I 1,299,437. I Patented Apr. 8,1919.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 3- I I' H 0 I. S. DUNCAN.

PRINTING DEVICE SEPARATOR FOR ADDRESSING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.6. I911.

1,299,437. Patented A r. 8,1919.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

i 1. s. DUNCAN.

PRINTING DEVICE SEPARATOR FOR ADDRESSING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED AuG- Patented Apr. 8,1919.

7 SHEETSSHEET 5.

J. S. DUNCAN.

PRINTING DVJCE SEPARATOR FOR ADDRESSING MACHINES.

Patented Apr. '8, 1919.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 6,191]- 1,299,437. 7 SHEETSSHEET 6.

J. S. DUNCAN.

PRINTING DEVICE SEPARATOR FOR ADDRESSING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.6. 191].

1,299,431 I Patented Apr. 8, 1919.-

7 SHEE.T8-SHEET 7.

I I L I l I 'companying drawin UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH S. DUNCAN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO ADDRESSOGRAIH COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 8, 1919.

Application filed August 6, 1917. Serial No. 184,767.

T 0 all whom, it may concern Be it known that I, JOSEPH S. DUNCAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Printing-Device Separators for Addressing-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to printing machines employing separate printing devices, usually bearing addresses or similar information, which are successively delivered from a magazine to printing position beneath a platen.

Such machines are now extensively used for addressing periodlcals and wrappers therefor In this class of work it is extremely desirable to separate printing device bearing addresses of expiring subscriptions as soon as the last periodical which is to be forwarded thereunder or the wrapper therefor has been printed, and devices have heretofore been suggested to accomplish this result.

It is an object therefore of my invention to provide in a printing machine of the character described simple and effective means for automatically selectingprinting devices of a predetermined class, as for example: those bearing addresses of expiring subscriptions, separating them from the remaining printing devices and delivering the two sets of printing devices to separate receptacles.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent as it is better understood by reference to the following specification when read in connection with the acillustrating the preferred embodiment t ereof in which- Figure 1 is a plan section through the machine;

Fig. 2 is a front end elevation of a portion of the machine;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line H of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 55 of Fig. 1

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail in section illustrating the operation of the selector mechanism which controls the operation of the,

machine;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail in side elevation partially in section of the means for operating the selector mechanism;

Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 9 is a section on the line 99 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged vertical section through the mechanism for controlling the gate in the delivery chute and Fig. 11 is a detail in elevation of the sprocket for the gate controlling mechanism.

In the accompanying drawing I have illustrated the application of my invention to one form of addressing machine which is commonly used in the art. It is to be UH-u derstoodtherefore that my invention is in no way limited in its application tothe par-. ticular printing or addressing machine hereinafter described since obviously the struc tural details thereof may be varied widely'so long as means is provided for advancing printing devices to printing position beneath a platen where the impression is taken.

Referring to the'drawing 5 indicates in general a frame upon which the various parts of the structure are supported. A magazine 6 'is mounted at the rear end of the frame 5 to support a plurality of printing devices 7. The printing devices are successively carried from the magazine, beneath an inking device 8, to printing position beneath the platen 9 by chains 10 supported and driven by sprockets 11 and sheave wheels 12 mounted on suitable shafts which are journaled in the frame 5.

The main shaft 13 which is supported in suitable bearings in the frame 5 may be driven from any source of power and is provided with cams 14 engaging rollers 15 on a platen arm 16 pivoted at 17 on the frame 5 and carrying the platen 9 at its free end. The platen arm 16 is normally held in raised position by a spring 18 (Fig. 2) secured to the frame 5 and to the platen arm and upon each rotation the shaft 13 is moved downwardly to carry the laten 9 into engagement with the impression receiving material disposed above a printing device 7 which has been previously positioned beneath the platen by operation of the chains 10.

The main shaft 13, carries a pair of cams 18 (Figs. 2 and 4) with which rollers 19 respectively engage. The rollers 19 are mounted on a yoke 20 pivoted to the frame 5. As the shaft 13 rotates the yoke 20 is positively rocked on its pivot. A rod 21 is connected at one end to the yoke 20 and extends through a semi-housing 22 inclosing a spring 23 which bears at one end on a shoulder 24 carried by the rod 21 and at the other against opposite end of the housing. This end of the housing is connected to an arm 25 on the rocker 26 journaled ona shaft 27 which extends transversely of the machine and is sup ported at its ends in the frame 5.

An arm 28 on the rocker 26 extends forwardly therefrom and is provided at its end with a dog 29 (Fig. 3) adapted to successively engage pins 30-on one of the sprockets 11, as the arm 28 is moved back and forth, to rotate the sprocket 11 and thereby advance the chains 10 and carry the printing devices 7 from the-magazine 6, step by step, to printing "position. A spring arm 31 rigidly supported beneath the dog 29 serves as a support therefor when it is withdrawn for engagement with the succeeding pins 30 during the operation of the machine.

Arms 32 (Fig. 1) on the rocker 2.6 is connected by a link 33 to the frame of the inking device 8 which is provided with a rearwardly extending arm 34 (Fig. 3) connected by a link 35 to the frame 5. As the rocker 26 oscillates the inking device 8 swings forwardly and backwardly to deliver ink,to the printing devices and is maintained in parallel relation to the bed by the arm 34 and link 35.

At the forward end of the machine and in front of the platen 9 the bed of the machine slopes downwardly (Fig. 5) forming a chute 36 into which the printing device is moved by the chains 10 after an impression has been taken therefrom by the platen. A- gate 37 is mounted on a rod 38 pivotally supported and extending across the chute and when in theposition indicated in Fig. 5 the gate directs the printing devices into a branch chute 39 extending downwardly beyond the I end of the' chute 36 and conveniently pivoted on the frame 5 at 39. Supported within the frame 5 and beneath the bed of the machine are two trays 40 and 41, the latter being removable from the machine. These trays are arranged so that their forward ends are respectively beneath the chutes 36 and 39 to receive the printing devices delivered therefrom. I

arm 42 (Figs. 1 and 4) on the rocker 26 is connected by a bar 43 to a swinging packer frame 44 pivoted at 45 on the frame 5. The packer frame 44 is provided with depending fingers 46 which enter the end of the tray 40. As each printing device is delivered to the tray the packer frame is. advanced to force the printing device rearwardly in the tray past the spring pressed stops 47 on the lower ends of the chute 36.

A packer frame 48 is pivoted at 45 outside the packer frame 44 and is provided with depending fingers -49 which'enter the end f the tray 41. The packer frame 48 is actuated to force printing devices as received rearwardly in the tray 41 past the spring pressed stops 50 on the lower ends of the chute 39 by a hook 51 pivoted to the bar 43 and having an adjustable screw 52 adapted to engage a pin 53 on the packer frame 48. A sprin 54 connected to the frame 5 and to the pac er frame 48 causes the latter to swing upwardly when released as hereafter described. After the packer frame 48 has been advanced by the movement of the hook 51 it is returned to normal position by a spring pressed plunger 55 mounted on the packer frame 48 and engaging the chute 39.

A link 56 (Figs. 2 and 4) is pivotally connected to the hook 51 and is bifurcated at its lower end to embrace a shaft 57 rotatably mounted in theframe 5 and provided with a portion 57 adapted to engage and support the tray 41. -A cam 58 on the shaft 57 is adapted to engage an ear 59 on the link 56.

A finger lever 60 is provided on the shaft 57 whereby the latter may be rotated at will to cause the portion 57 to engage and lift the tray 41 to operative position. At the same time the cam 58 disengages the ear 59 and permits the hook 51 to engage the pin 53. holds the finger lever 60 in this position. When the latch is released the shaft 57 will rotate permitting the tray to drop so that the packer frame 48 is released and permitted to swing upwardly. At the same time the hook 51 is disengaged from the pin 53.

The rod 38 which supports'the gate 37- is provided at one end with a yoke (Fig.

8). An arm 66' is loosely mounted on the rod 38 between the arms of the yoke. An adjustable screw 67 in one arm of the yoke engages the arm 66 and a spring 68 is disposed between the arm 66 and the other arm of the yoke. A spring 69 (Fig. 2) connected to the arm 66 and to the frame 5 of the machine normally holds the rod 38 and consequently the gate 37 in the position indicated in Fig. 5. l v

In the embodiment of my invention herein described it is desired to pass all printing I devices which are to be used again through after every im ression taken from a print-- ing-device which is to be deposited in the tray 40 and to leave'the gate in its normal osition after each impression from a printmg device which is to be deposited in the A latch 61 on the frame 5 normally tray 41. The selector mechanism which controls the movement of the gate 37 acts upon the respective printing devices before they reach printing position beneath the platen.

Consequently it is necessary to delay the operation of the gate 37 imtil two revolutions of the shaft 13 have ensued following operation of the selector mechanism. This permits the printing device to move from the selector mechanism to printing position where an impression is taken and thence to the. chutes. lVith this brief description of the purpose of the mechanism the structure hereinafter described will be more readily understood.

A shaft 70 (Figs. 2 and 3) is rotatably mounted in the frame 5 and is driven from the main shaft 13 by a chain 71 engaging sprockets 72 on the respective shafts. The sprocket 72 on the shaft 70 is secured thereto by screws 73 (Figs. 10 and 11) mounted in a cap- 74 which is made fast to the shaft delivery end of the machine.

by a pin 75. By removing the screws 73 the shaft 70 may be rendered inoperative 'as is sometimes desirable.

Two collars 76 and 77 (Fig. 10) are secured to the shaft 70 in spaced relation by pins 76' and 77'. A cam 78 is keyed to a reduced extension 79 of the collar 76. Cams 80 and 81 are loosely disposed on the shaft 7 0 the former between the collars 76 and 77 and the latter between thecollar 77 and an adjacent portion of the frame. Normally the cams 80 and 81 are operatively connected to the shaft 70 by dogs 82 and 83 pivotally supported on the respective cams and held in engagement with notches 81 and 85 in the collars 76 and 77 by springs 86 and 87. Thus upon each revolution of the shaft 13 the shaft 70 and the cams thereon will also turn through a single revolution. The cam 81 engages a roller 88 on the arm 66 and is provided with a high portion followed by a slight depression. As this high portion passes the roller 88 the arm 66 causes the yoke to swing, thus moving the gate 37 to the right viewing Fig. 5. The cam 81 is timed however so that normally the roller 88 rests on a low portion thereof when a printing device reaches the Therefore the printing devices will fall into the chute 39 and thence into the tray 41. j

Pivotally supported on a transverse rod 89 (Fig. 3) is arocker having a depending arm 90 which normally engages and is held from swinging movement to the right viewing Fig. 3 by the end of an arm 91 connected to the selector mechanism presently to be described. An arm 92 of the rocker is connected by a rod 93 to a rocker 91 ivoted at. 95 on the frame 5 and havin a roller 96 adapted to be engaged by the cam '78. An arm 97 is pivoted at 98 on the frame 5 atone side of the rocker 91 and is connected thereto by a spring 99. A roller 100 on the rocker 91 is held in engagement with the arm 97 by the spring 99. When arm 90 is held by the arm 91 as indicated in Figs. 1 and 7 the arm 97 is held by thespring 99 out of the path of the tail bythe dog 82 and the cam 80 will rotate with the shaft 70. \Vhen however, the arm 90 is released by the operation of the selector mechanism which depresses the arm 91 and thereby moves itfrom the path of the arm 90, the latter will be permitted to swing to the right and the rocker 91 will also swing to the right viewing Fig. 8 carrying the arm 97 into the path of the tail of the dog 82 thus releasing the dog from its notch and uncoupling the cam from'the shaft 70.

Supported in axial alinement with the rocker 91 is a rocker 101 (Fig. 9). An arm 102 is supported in axial alinement with the arm 97 at one side of the rocker 101 and is connected to the latter by a spring 103 which holds a roller 101 on the rocker 101 in engagement with the arm 102. Normally the rocker is so positioned that the arm 102 is out of the path of the tail of the dog 83 on the cam 81. However, when the cam 80 comes to restin the manner just described a high portion thereon engages a roller 105 on the rocker 101 swinging the latter on its pivot and moving the lever 102 into the path of the tail of the dog 83. Upon continued rotation of the shaft 70 the tail of the ,dog 83 engages the lever 102 thereby withdrawing the dog from its notch and uncoupling the cam 81 from the shaft 70. The uncoupling occurs just as the roller 88 drops into the depression following the high point of the cam and the gate 37 is moved to the right viewing Fig. 5 and held there during the following revolution of the shaft 13 or while a printing device is discharged into the chute 36 and thence to the tray 40.

The above described operation occupies two complete rex'olutions of the shaft 13 so that the printing device which cooperated with the selector mechanism to release the arm 90 is moved to printing position, printed and discharged into the proper tray. Meanwhile upon the first revolution of the shaft following the release of the arm 90, a high point on the. cam 78 engages the roller 96 on the rocker 9-1 and swings the rocker to the left viewing Fig. 3. A corresponding movement of the arm 90 permits the arm 91 which is spring actuated to move upwardly to its normal or set position. The lever 97 is withdrawn from the 'path of the tail of the dog 82 and conseh'fovement of the cam 80 withdraws the the roller 105 permitting the arm 102 to swing out of the path of the. tail of the dog 83 which is again permitted to engage the notch in the collar 77 locking the cam 81 to the shaft 70. The normal operation permitting delivery of printing devices to the tray 41 is then continued until the selector mechanism again releases the arm 90.

The selector mechanism which controls the the previously described operation comprises a selector frame 107'pivoted at 108 on the frame 5 of the machine and extending across the path'of the printing devices between inking and printing position. A selector bar 109 is pivotally mounted on the frame 107 and extends across the path of the printing devices in front of the frame. This bar carries the arm 91 previously described and is connected to the frame 107 by a spring 110 so that itnormally tends to follow themovement of the fra-me.- The selector bar is provided with a plurality of spaced openings (Fig. 1) to receive one or more pins 111 (Fig. 7

The selector frame is normally sustained to elevated position by a spring pressed plunger 1.12 which engages the frame 5 of the machine. To effect depression of the selector frame and bar I provide a cam track 113 on the frame in the path of a depressor device 114 pivotally mounted at 115 on an arm 116 connected to one of the arms 32 of the rocker 26. A roller 117 (Fig. 7) on the depression device 114 engages the cam track 113 and as the roller rides up the inclined plane of the cam track the selector frame swings downwardly about its pivot carrying the selector bar therewith.

Each printing device 7 is provided with a tab 118 which may be adjustably disposed in one of a plurality of positions in a manner well understood in the art. If the tab 118 on the particular printing device which is beneath the selector bar is not in the path of the pin 11 thereon the selector bar travels downwardly with the selector frame and the operation of the machine is normal. The printing device then passes into the tra 41. If however, the tab 118 is in the pat of the pin downward movement of the selector bar is limited thereby and as the selector frame descends the selector bar swings on its pivot relative to the selector frame causing the arm 91 to disengage the arm 90, which then swings forwardly in the manner previously described to initiate the operation of the cams 80 and 81 resulting in delivery of the printing device to the tray 40.

As an example of the operation we may assume that all printing devices bearing addresses of subscriptions expiring in Decemher have tabs disposed in the same relative positions. When the December issue of the periodical or the wrappers therefor are printed the pin 111 is so disposed in the ment illustrated since obviously various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing any of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely the preferred embodiments thereof.

I claim:

1. In a printing machine, a platen, a magazine, means or moving printing devices from said magazine to and from printmg position beneath said platen, a plurality of receptacles to receive said printing devices, and means for separating said printmg devlces into classes and selectively delivermg the respective classes to separate receptacles including means for initiating the operation of separating the printing devices before the latter are disposed in printing posit-ion.

. 2. In a printing machine, a platen, a

magazine, means for moving printing devices from said magazine to and from printmg position beneath said platen, a delivery chute through which said printing devices normally pass, means for diverting selected printing devices from said chute, and means fen initlating the operation of said diverting means before the individual devices are disposed in printing position.

3. In a print machine, a platen, a magazine, means or moving printing de vices from said ma azine to and from printing position beneat l said platen, a delivery chute through which said printingdevices normally pass, a. branch chute, means for diverting selected printing devices into said branch chute, separate receptacles to receive said printing devices from the respectivechutes, and means for initiating the operation of the diverting means before the individual printing devices are disposed in printing position.

4. In a printi machine, a platen, a

magazine, means or moving printing de-' ing the operation-of said controlling means before the individual printing devices are disposed in printing position.

5. In a printing machine, a fplaten, a magazine, means or moving printing devices from said magazine to and from printing position beneath said platen, a plurality of receptacles to receive said printing devices, and means adapted to engage said printing devices before they reach printing position and influenced by the characteristics of individual printing devices to control the delivery thereof to one or the other of said receptacles.

6. In a printing machine, a platen, amagazine, means or moving printing devices from said magazine to and from printing position beneath said platen, a plurality of receptacles to receive said printing devices, chutes leadin thereto and means adapted to engage said printing devices before they reach fluenced by the c aracteristics of the individual printing devices to control delivery thereof to one or the other of said chutes.

7. In a printin machine, a platen, (a magazine, means or moving printing devices from said magazine to and from printing position beneath said platen, a plurality of receptacles to receive said printing devices and means adapted to engage said printing devices before they reach printing position and influenced by the characteristics of an individual printing device to control delivery of the latter after it has passed the printing position to one or'the other of said receptacles.

8. In a. {printing machine, a; platen, a magazine, means for moving printing devices from said magazine to and from printing position beneath said platen, a plurality of receptacles to receive said printing devices, a selector mechanism cotiperating with the individual printing devices before they are disposed in printing position to detect the predetermined classification thereof, and means controlled thereby'to'selectively direct said printing devices according to class into the respective receptacles after leaving printing position.

9. In 1a printing machine, (a platen, a magazine, means for moving printing devices from said magazine to and from printing position beneath said platen, a air of receptacles to receive said printing evices, a pair of chutes leading to said receptacles, a gate to direct said printing devices in said respective chutes and a selector mechanism coiiperating with individual printing devices before they are disposed in printing position to detect the predetermined classification thereof, and means controlled thereby to actuate said gate.

10. In a printing machine, a platen, a magazine, means for moving printing deprinting position and invices from said magazine to and from printing position beneath said platen, means cooperating With each printing device before it is disposed in printing position to detect the predetermined classification thereof, and means operative after the printing operation to separate said printing devices in accordance with said classification.

11. Ina printing machine, a platen, a magazine, means for moving printing devices from said magazine to and from printing position beneath said platen, receptacles to receive different classes of said printing devices, means in the path of said printing devices as they are moved to printing position for detecting the predetermined classification'of said printing devices, and means operative after the printing operation for separating said printing devices and depositing said classes in the respective receptacles.

12. In a printing machine, a platen, a magazine, means for moving printing devices from said magazine to and from printing position beneath said platen, receptacles to receive different classes of said printing devices, a selector mechanism adapted to engage the printing devices before they reach printing position and influenced by the individual characteristics thereof and means controlled thereby for subsequently separating said printing devices according to said characteristics and delivering them to the respective receptacles.

13. In a printing machine, a platen, a magazine, means for moving printing devices step by step from said magazine to and from printing position beneath said platen, a pair of receptacles for said printing devices, chutes leading to said receptacles, a gate for directing said printing devices into one or the other of said chutes, means for actuating said gate and means cooperating with individual printing devices before they reach printing position to control said actuating means.

14. In a printing machine, a platen, a magazine, means for moving printing devices from said magazine ing position beneat said laten, receptacles to receive said printing evices, means for controlling movement of said printing devices to the respective receptacles including a selector frame, a selector bar supported on and movable conjointly with and relatively to said frame, and means adjustably supported on said bar and adapted to engage printing devices having predetermined characteristics.

15. In a printing machine, a platen, a magazine, means for moving printing devices from said magazine to and from printing position beneath said platen, receptacles to receive said printing devices, a selector mechanism including a selector frame and a selector bar supported on and movable con-- to and from print-- jointly with and relatively to said frame, and means adjustably supported on said bar and adapted to engage printing devices having predetermined characteristics, and means controlled thereby to subsequently direct the printing devices into the respective receptacles.

16. In a printing machine, a platen, a magazine, meansfor moving printing devices from said magazine to and from printing position beneath said platen, receptacles to receive said printing devices, a gate to direct the movement of said printing devices into the respective receptacles, means for operating said gate comprising a constantly driven shaft, a cam loosely supported on said shaft, means connected to said gate and operable by said cam, a releasable driving connection between said cam and shaft and means for controlling said connection.

17. In a printing machine, a platen, a magazine, means for moving printing devices from said magazine to and from printing position beneath said platen, receptacles to receive said printing devices, a gate to direct the movement of said printing devices into the respective receptacles, means for operating said gate comprising a constantly driven sha a cam loosely sup ported on each shaft, means connected to said gate and operable by said cam, a releasable driving connection between said cam and shaft and means for controlling said connection including a selector adapted to cooperate with printing devices having predetermined characteristics.

18. In a printing machine, a platen, a magazine, means for moving printing devices from the magazine to and from printing position beneath said platen, receptacles to receive said printing devices, a gate to direct the movement of said printing devices into the respective receptacles, means for opprint-ing devices crating said gate comprising a constantly driven shaft, two'cams loosely mounted on and normally connected to said shaft, means connected to said gate and engaging one of said cams, and means for successively disconnectingsaid cams from said shaft.

19. In a printing machine, a platen, a magazine, means for moving printing devices from the magazine to and from printing position beneath said platen, receptacles to receive said printing devices, a gate to direct the movement of said printing devices into the respective receptacles, means for operating said gate comprising a constantly driven shaft, two cams loosely mounted on and normally connected to said shaft, means connected to said gate and engaging one of said cams, and means for successively disconnecting said cams from said shaft including a selector adapted to cooperate with having predetermined characteristics.

20. In a printing machine, a platen, a magazine, means for moving printing devices from the magazine to and from printing position beneath said platen, receptacles to receive said printing devices, a gate to direct the movement of said printing devices into the respective receptacles, means for operating said gate comprising a constantlydriven shaft, two cams loosely mounted on and normally connected tosaid shaft, means connected to said gate and engaging one of said cams, and means for successively disconnecting said cams from said shaft and means for automatically reestablishing the connection between said shaft and earns.

JOSEPH s. DUNCAN.

Witnesses Ennns'r H. MERCHANT, M. A. Kmnm. 

